Date Approved

Embargo Period

Document Type

Degree Name

Department

College

College of Education

First Advisor

Meagher, Richard

Subject(s)

Academic achievement; Biology--Study and teaching; Class size

Disciplines

Science and Mathematics Education

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine if students in small classes would show greater academic achievement in high school biology classes. The study involved two high school biology classes, one with an enrollment of 20 students, and one with an enrollment of 25 students. Both groups of students were given pretests on the subject of invertebrates. A four week study of this topic followed. Teaching techniques and assignments were identical for the two groups. At the end of the four week study a posttest was given to all students.

The results of the pre and posttest were then analyzed using both one and two tailed independent t-tests. The results of these tests showed that there was no significant difference between the two groups.